“Of self-efficacy, overcoming Linguistic Barriers and gender: lessons from Female students on Study Abroad from the University of Ghana in Spain.”

Abstract

According to the literature on One-Year Study Abroad programme for Foreign Language learners, there are several advantages that learners derive from the year abroad experience. However, little evidence exists to point out specific cases of the female learner’s self-efficacy in terms of overcoming linguistic barriers and forging and embracing their humanism in the country of study. Using anonymous online surveys, and whatsapp messages, the study considers the case of female students of Spanish language at the university of Ghana on study abroad in Spain. Results indicate that many of these female students have over the years had challenges self-effacing and embracing their humanity in the first four months of their stay due to lack of ‘good’ orientation before the trip and linguistic barriers encountered in Spain on their arrival. The study recommends that female students, especially, should be ‘mentored’ before and during the study abroad process so that they can achieve the foreign language competence, socio-cultural development and intercultural awareness that comes with the experience.

Key words: self-efficacy, linguistic barriers, study abroad